[UPDATED] U.S. Forest Service Considers Controversial E-Bike Access to Over 100 Miles of Tahoe Trails

Updated 7/20/24 – 5:32 a.m. PT:

The U.S. Forest Service has not yet approved a plan to allow electric bicycles (e-bikes) on trails in the Lake Tahoe Basin, contrary to earlier reports. The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is still in the process of evaluating a proposal that could potentially open up more than 100 miles of trails to e-bikes.

The Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project, which includes the e-bike proposal, is currently undergoing environmental assessment. The Forest Service expects to release the Final Environmental Assessment and a Draft Decision Notice in late August 2024. This will be followed by a 45-day administrative review period for those who have previously commented on the project and have standing to object.

If approved, the plan would allow Class I e-bikes, which are pedal-assisted and can reach speeds up to 20 mph, on designated trails. The proposal also includes the potential construction of new routes and upgrades to existing infrastructure.

The LTBMU received 660 comment letters during the public comment period in September 2023 and has been working to update the Environmental Assessment based on this feedback. The agency is also completing a required formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Currently, e-bike use is only permitted on National Forest roads and trails in the Tahoe Basin that are designated for motor vehicle use, in accordance with the Forest Service’s Travel Management Rule.

A final decision on the project is estimated to be released in November 2024. This timeline reflects the complex nature of the proposal and the Forest Service’s commitment to thorough environmental assessment and public engagement in the decision-making process.

Original article, published 7/18/24 – 04:14 am PT:

The U.S. Forest Service has approved a groundbreaking plan to allow electric bicycles (e-bikes) on more than 100 miles of trails in the Lake Tahoe Basin. This decision marks a significant shift in trail access policies and could transform Tahoe into a premier destination for off-road electric biking.

The plan, which applies to the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, will open 106 miles of existing trails to Class I e-bikes and proposes the construction of 45 miles of new trails. Class I e-bikes are pedal-assisted vehicles that reach speeds up to 20 mph, comparable to traditional mountain bikes on downhill sections.

• Related: Coalition Suing Forest Service Over Sneaky Decision to Allow E-Bikes in Tahoe National Forest

Drew Bray, Executive Director of the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association, expressed enthusiasm for the plan, telling the SF Chronicle, “The new designation will give a lot of folks a lot more opportunity to recreate at the lake without having to drive.”

The Forest Service’s decision comes in response to the growing popularity of e-bikes and the increasing demand for their use on public lands. Mike Gabor, forest engineering staff officer with the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, noted, “We’re seeing pressure just by the nature of the change in how the American public is using these bikes.”

• Related: Invasion of the E-Bikes. Coming to a Trail Near You, Maybe.

While the plan has garnered support from many cycling enthusiasts and advocates for alternative transportation, it has also faced some opposition. Concerns about potential conflicts between e-bike users and other trail users, including hikers, joggers, and equestrians, have been raised.

The Forest Service is finalizing the environmental assessment document, which is expected to be released in August. Following this, there will be a period for objections before making a final decision, likely by the end of summer.

• Related: Turn Any Bike into an E-bike With This Pocket-Sized Battery

This initiative aligns with broader efforts to create a more bikeable region in Lake Tahoe, potentially reducing car usage and its environmental impact. Jesse Patterson, Chief Strategy Officer for Keep Tahoe Blue, emphasized that the proposal benefits cyclists and contributes to the preservation of the lake.

As the first national forest to implement such comprehensive changes to its trail system for e-bikes, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit’s decision could set a precedent for other public lands across the United States.